Evan Bertram Te Makahi Robertson
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of William Alexander Robertson and Sarah Jane Robertson, of Fairlie, Canterbury, New Zealand.
9 November 1941 Hampden AE438 408 Sqn. Take off 17.55 RAF Syerston part of a 9 aircraft raid to bomb Oostende. Over the target the aircraft was picked up by radar guided searchlights of Stab/Scheinwerferabteiling 369 and the Flak batteries of Flakuntergruppe Ostende, Reserveflakabteilung 252 and their 5 heavy 88mm and 3 light 20mm batteries in the port opened fire.
22.00 AE438 was hit in the wing and tail, breaking up in mid air before diving vertically into the ground at Westkerke near Oostende killing all crew. The crew were buried the next day with full military honours by the Germans.
In 1992 Westkerke Cemetery was cleared to make way for and new road and housing. But the 4 war graves were left in situ along with a Weeping Willow tree, becoming the smallest CWGC Cemetery of WWII.
P/O John Wilson RCAF - His brother Lt Bruce Wilson KIA 13/8/1944.
P/O Evan Robertson RNZAF - His brother Lt Alan Robertson DCM MiD KIA 8/4/1944
Sgt Douglas Norton
Sgt Douglas Markall - All killed
Unknown
Photo of Evan Bertram Te Makahi Robertson